Painting/sealing and magnetizing

[GamerDad]

Is it possible to prime and basecoat a mini, then put on a layer of Purity Seal, let it dry, then paint some more over the Purity Seal afterwards? I'm sure it has been suggested here a couple of times, but the GW staff and some painters there have said this was not possible and PS should be used once the mini is finished.

My problem is it is taking me very long to finish a mini, but as I am playing now, I find that the paint at some of the edges of the Tau models I handle would rub off.

I'm also planning to buy a Tau Riptide and with that, my first attempt at putting magnets on a mini to swap out weapons. I have faint ideas of how to do this but any pointers to something more concrete would be great. I am especially looking for some tried-and-tested sellers of these magnets; I'd rather buy from a known seller than buy cheap and end up with problems afterwards.

Thanks!

 

[gohkm]

I don't know about ArdCoat, but it is trivial to paint over Dullcote. Like you, I find paint sometimes chips before finishing a miniature. I simply Dullcote as needed, just a light must is usually sufficient.

In terms of priming, I just Dullcote after washing and assembly. Then follow up with the usual zenithal priming using black and white primer.

No dramas at all.

 

[GamerDad]

I'm guessing Dullcote is NOT GW Purity Seal

Any clue how to get this in the UK? Google search shows that it is out of stock.... but could get some from the US for $3 but £10 for shipping

 

[gohkm]

Dullcote is a little hard to come by in Europe in general - seems it's a benzene-based chemical or something, and therefore carcinogenic. Maybe a mate in the US would be able to ship it out to you?

Alternatively, the Army Painter stuff is also supposed to be pretty good, too. Or, if it's just spot coating, just grab a tub of Vallejo Matt Varnish, and either paint or airbrush that on (I've used this for priming, too, and haven't experienced any problems, either).

Welcome to the Cult of Clear Primer !

 

[Wyrmypops]

Dullcote is from Testors, a highly regarded matt finishing spray which can be a bugger to actually find. I've got mine from http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/ The Army Painter matt spray will start to gain a good reputation as it's similarly excellent. A friend has used it over the shiny dipping applications in the Army Painter range and the end result was some of the driest looking surfaces I'd seen.

You can paint over varnishes. Matt is easier, not having a glossy surface on which paint can slide a bit.

For gaming miniatures they're quite commonly given a gloss or satin varnish as they're more resilient than the matt ones. But then given a squirt of a matt finish on top of that so it looks pretty too. Display miniatures aren't going to get as much handling so a coat of something Matt is enough for them.

I've taken to painting select things after the mini has been varnished. Metallics can be dulled to a grey by matt varnishes, so I do the medium and higher tones of metallic areas after the varnishing has been done. Also, having done a ton of zombies lately I slapped the shiny Tamiya red on after the mini had been varnished so it was over all dry with those red areas more notably bloodily slick.

 

[GamerDad]

Well, even that linked site is out of stock! I'll continue my search for this product though.

Any help on the magnets?

 

[timewizard]

First, it can't be shipped overseas because it's an aerosol can. Severe penalties would be heaped on the shipper.

I use a company called http://www.amazingmagnets.com/ but this is another US based company.

I frequent a site called Age of Strife, and most of the members there are in the UK. If you'd like, post over there, they're a nice bunch and can help you out, especially with magnets. They are modelers and gamers and I know more than a ew of them magnetize their mini;s, so they must have local sources.

Just go to www.ageofstrife.com

Good luck with the models and the games!

 

[Zab]

http://www.amazingmagnets.com/ in the usa

http://e-magnetsuk.com/ in the UK

use them both and had no complaints.

 

[Dragonsreach]

Well, even that linked site is out of stock! I'll continue my search for this product though.

Any help on the magnets?

Look up Model Display Products.
Martyn aka War Griffon usually has Dullcoate in stock and since he's an active modeller painter knows his products well.

 

[GamerDad]

Model Display also has it out of stock. As it seems to be a hit-and-miss (mostly miss) with Dullcote, surely some have tried painting over GW's Purity Seal? Or is it not worth the effort to do so?

Thanks for the links to Age of Strife, but I wonder why the redirect? Nobody here magnetizes? I know it's a painting forum but I thought magnetizing fell under "conversions"?

 

[me_in_japan]

I think maybe the purist painters don't magnetise because the only reason to do so it game related. (Ie to allow switching of weapon options.) Most folk here don't game, and therefore have no need to magnetise.

I, however, do game, and here is a link to a nice site where I bought my magnets:
http://www.back2base-ix.com

Bear in mind I'm in Japan, so I kinda accept shipping costs as part of life Also, I think I bought from these guys' eBay store as opposed to their web store. Anyhoo - I hope you find some nice magnets

 

[timewizard]

Thanks for the links to Age of Strife, but I wonder why the redirect? Nobody here magnetizes? I know it's a painting forum but I thought magnetizing fell under "conversions"?

The folks on Age of Strife do a lot more gaming than painting and modeling. When you said you played with the Tau I thought you could get a few tips on gaming with miniatures from AoS. Take a peek, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[RuneBrush]

Coming back to your original point - the GW staff are talking a load of rubbish. I've used multiple layers of Purity Seal (spray version) without any hassle at all. If I'm applying decals/transfers I'll cover in a layer of purity seal, apply the decal (using Micro Sol and Micro Set to get it right) and then seal it in with a second coat of purity seal. What I think they might be eluding to is that purity seal is a satin finish varnish which means that any paint you put on top of it might struggle to "hold" (i.e. it'll be slippery). GW base colours, washes, inks and oil washes will adhere without any problems.

Second vote for e-magnets! I've done a few vehicles, my biggest tip is to make sure that you have the right sized drill bit for the magnet your using, a bigger hole and putty just won't work as well. Try and sink your magnet lower than flush, this way you can super glue it in place and then putty over the top to just hold it in place. Loads of guides online on the subject to help too!

 

[GamerDad]

Thanks for the help guys! I've signed up on AoS but not got my validation email yet.

RuneBrush, thanks for confirming I can use PS on my minis. I'll have a go at a few Fire Warrors.... If I mess up, it'll only be a £20 set to replace them.

As for magnetizing, I'm thinking of putting disc magnets inside the recesses of the Tau battlesuits and then using 2 square magnets or a rectangular magnet on the weapon itself, that way the magnet will hold the weapon in place but the shape will mean the weapon doesn't spin around. I'm concerned about the Riptide though --- the weapon looks bigger so might need to be a bit creative with the magnet placement.

 

[timewizard]

If I'm applying decals/transfers I'll cover in a layer of purity seal, apply the decal (using Micro Sol and Micro Set to get it right) and then seal it in with a second coat of purity seal.

When I'm applying decals, I put a coat of gloss varnish where the decal will go. The apply the decal using Micro Sol, than when it's dry I'll spray it with dullcoat. I found that using a coat of the gloss varnish under the decal helps it set in better and I don't get any "silvering" under the decal.

 

[Trevor]

You can get testors in the UK on ebay pretty easily. An alternative is Humbrol matt spray varnish. For the magnets, I don't find swivelling to be too much of a problem. With a stronger (or larger) magnet it is even less of a problem. You could make a little groove and ridge to stop any swivelling. I tend to recess one magnet and have the second stick out a bit, so it is always located in the same place. The most important thing is that you get your magnets the right way round. Finding you have them in the wrong way is a right pain, having to dig one out after the super glue has set is no fun.

 

[GamerDad]

You can get testors in the UK on ebay pretty easily.

Unless you're talking about a different eBay, I say bollocks. What I see available is a Dullcote Varnish that comes in a bottle. I'm sure this isn't the same as the spray can, correct? However, I would gladly be mistaken and would be grateful if you could point me to an eBay seller that has it in stock. I'd happily buy 2-3 cans right now.

An alternative is Humbrol matt spray varnish.

Hmm... I've heard of this before, but not often... has anyone else have experience with this?

For the magnets, I don't find swivelling to be too much of a problem. With a stronger (or larger) magnet it is even less of a problem. You could make a little groove and ridge to stop any swivelling. I tend to recess one magnet and have the second stick out a bit, so it is always located in the same place.

How exactly do you make a ridge on a magnet? I can understand making a grove on one, but it'll be a pain on such a small item.

Even with recessed magnets, I still see swiveling to be a problem. Sure, the magnet can hold the weapon by itself; I am looking for more "swivel protection" if the weapons get knocked about such as when you are moving minis around in a gaming board. Would be annoying to have to reposition weapons each time you move the model.

 

[Trevor]

Huh, there were a bunch on a couple weeks ago, but currently none! Put the ridge on the model join somewhere, not the magnet.

 

[feaki]

I have used "spider magnets" on eBay, ensure you get the most powerful, N52, as they will give you more stick! I have magnetised everything from 2 x 1mm in SM wrists for different pistol types, up to deff dred arms. I've never had any real problem with the arms swivelling. Hope his helps

 

[GamerDad]

Ah, on the model... gotcha. However, this isn't really very feasible on my current project Tau army.

I've just got a shipment of 1mmx1mm disc magnets. Boy, are they tiny! I would think I need 2 to properly hold up a hand with a weapon (space marine)... I was actually after 1.5mm magnets but it seems impossible to get them here in the UK. On the plus side, the default GW hand drill and drill bit works perfectly with these magnets! I've already "lost" 2 on a trial fit.